NL West teams at the start of spring training

Published: Friday, February 9th, 2018 at 5:26pm

Updated: Friday, February 9th, 2018 at 5:26pm

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw makes a relief appearance during the third inning of Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Houston Astros in Los Angeles. Kershaw can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the 2018 season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:

Going campin’: The Dodgers returned to the World Series for the first time since winning it in 1988, only to lose to Houston in seven games. They topped 100 wins while earning a fifth straight NL West title. Clayton Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in the game, a seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He begins the season with 144 career victories, 21 shy of Sandy Koufax’s franchise record for a left-hander. But as always, Kershaw could use some help in the rotation. The big offseason deal involved unloading Gonzalez, Culberson, Kazmir and McCarthy to Atlanta, along with $4.5 million, for Kemp, a former Dodgers star. The trade saved a large chunk of money and could help the team avoid paying luxury tax this year. That would allow the Dodgers to drop to a 20 percent tax rate if they spend big in 2019, when the free agent market is chock full of big names. Cody Bellinger is coming off a Rookie of the Year season, and Kenley Jansen remains one of the best closers in the game. Along with Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and Joc Pederson, the Dodgers have the roster to make another deep playoff run.

Going campin’: The Diamondbacks return almost intact from last season’s 93-win team, with one big exception. Slugging outfielder J.D. Martinez had a record-breaking half-season at the plate after being acquired from Detroit last year and remains a free agent, but at a price too steep for the Diamondbacks. Yasmany Tomas returns from a season of injuries and appears to be the leading candidate to take back his old job in left field. The other major question mark this spring is, who is the closer? With Rodney gone, the most intriguing possibility is to move dynamic setup man Archie Bradley to the ninth inning. Other candidates are the newly acquired Boxberger — who had an AL-leading 40 saves in 2015 — and, maybe, Hirano, a closer in Japan who at 33 would be making his major league debut. The rotation returns from last year: Zack Grienke, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, Taijuan Walker and Zack Godley. Shelby Miller is recovering from Tommy John surgery and it’s not known when he would be ready for a big league start. The other big competition is at shortstop, where Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings return from injuries. Ketel Marte played well in their absence.

Going campin’: The Rockies bolstered their bullpen in an effort to earn back-to-back postseason berths for the first time in franchise history. They signed Shaw ($27 million for three years), Davis ($52 million for three years) and brought back lefty Jake McGee ($27 million for three years). That’s a lot of money tied up in the bullpen. They have plenty of offensive firepower with third baseman Nolan Arenado — one of the best hitters and fielders in the game — and leadoff man Charlie Blackmon, who won the NL batting title with a .331 average. Colorado is counting on bounce-back years from shortstop Trevor Story and outfielder/first baseman Ian Desmond, along with the continued maturation of a young rotation that had four rookies start a combined 93 games. Kyle Freeland, Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela all won at least 10 games. They still might be in the market for another first baseman and could possibly bring back Gonzalez if the terms were right. Gonzalez’s charisma has long made him a clubhouse leader.

Going campin’: The Padres still have an offer on the table for free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. Barring any developments on that front, the focus will continue to be on a deep rebuild. The highlight will be the first spring training invites for several top prospects, including shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., second baseman Luis Urias and starting pitchers Cal Quantrill, Joey Lucchesi, Jacob Nix and Eric Lauer. There might be more buzz for the 19-year-old Tatis than for any veteran on the squad. He was acquired in the James Shields salary dump in 2015, when the Padres ended their failed win-now approach and decided to focus on young players. San Diego brought back Headley, Young and Ross this offseason. Competition at several positions will be wide open.

Going campin’: The Giants are coming off their first last-place finish in a decade and their worst season overall since 1985. They made a few high-profile moves this offseason by trading for Longoria and McCutchen to add some pop to a lineup that finished last in the majors in homers, 29th in runs and 29th in on-base percentage. Those two should also upgrade a defense that was spotty at best last season when nothing went right. Getting a healthy season out of ace Madison Bumgarner will help as well after he went 4-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 17 starts. The Giants will also need to adjust to a new coaching staff this season with Curt Young replacing longtime pitching coach Dave Righetti, and Alonzo Powell taking over as hitting coach after Hensley Meulens moved to bench coach.